Chemistry and Preservation of Waterlogged Wooden Shipwrecks

October 18 – 21, 2011, Stockholm, Sweden

Please note that the conference is over.

The chemical and biological aspects of preservation techniques and degradation processes of many waterlogged wooden shipwrecks is the subject of current intense research in several countries. In order to discuss this multi-disciplinary work and to summarize the present knowledge this international conference is organized as a joint effort by the Vasa Museum and the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. We hope it will attract researchers, conservation scientists and conservators working in this field and stimulate networking and co-operation. Contributions on all aspects of preservation science are welcomed.

Topics included:

• State-of-the-art characterization methods for waterlogged wood
• Wood degradation: rates and mechanisms of chemical and biological processes
• The influence of these processes on timber mechanical strength
• The stability of consolidants and their influence on wood properties
• External museum parameters - their influence on degradation processes
• New consolidants and conservation methods
• Case studies - conservation and research projects in progress